After the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv on November 7th, violence erupted in Amsterdam. Israeli fans were attacked by men on scooters in the city streets, fueled by anti-Semitic calls on social media. Five Maccabi fans were briefly hospitalized, sparking international outrage. Earlier in the evening, Israeli fans had themselves provoked tensions by chanting anti-Arab slogans, vandalizing a taxi, and burning a Palestinian flag in a public square. Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, described the violence as a «toxic mix of anti-Semitism and hooliganism». However, she stirred controversy by referring to the attacks as «pogroms». On Sunday, November 17th, she expressed regret for her word choice, explaining that she intended to convey the fear and sadness felt by the local Jewish community. Halsema also condemned the political exploitation of her words, particularly by Israeli officials. The controversy has also spread within the Netherlands, with some politicians reportedly using her statements to stigmatize Muslim Amsterdam residents. The mayor criticized these reactions, calling for better management of social tensions in her city and constructive cooperation from national authorities. Meanwhile, Dutch police are continuing their investigation and have already arrested nine people involved in the violence. A total of 45 suspects are being targeted, a number that could increase as authorities analyze available video footage. Halsema also called for independent investigations to understand the root causes of these incidents.
